ASEAN Insight Provider, CrossASEAN Research

Angus Mackintosh

ASEAN Insight Provider

CrossASEAN Research

At CrossASEAN Research we strive to produce unbiased and differentiated on the ground insights on companies across South East Asia. Our Research is produced for the most part after face to face meetings and conversations with company management to dig deep into the long term vision and strategy of the companies we cover. We seek to deliver investable and actionable themes on sectors and markets across SE Asia, often in collaboration with other Insight Providers across the region, pooling the vast experience of the analysts within the Smartkarma Ecosystem. We also offer bespoke work and tailor made trips for our clients. 

Insights across South East Asia

Cross Asset Strategy

<div class="content-highlight">
<p>The week that was in <a href="mailto:ASEAN@Smartkarma" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ASEAN@Smartkarma</a> is filled with another eclectic mix of differentiated, substantive, and actionable insights from across South East Asia and includes macro, top-down and thematic pieces, as well as actionable equity bottom-up and credit insights over the past week.</p>
<p>We add below a NEW section, which includes emerging themes in ASEAN and selects important news flow or developments for commentary, which may impact SE Asian companies and markets.  </p>
</div>
<h3>Equity Bottom-Up Insights</h3>
<p>In Indonesia<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/bank-mandiri-persero-bmri-ij-a-plethora-of-good-news" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Bank Mandiri Persero (BMRI IJ) - A Plethora of Good News</a>,  Cross-ASEAN insight provider<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/angus-mackintosh" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Angus Mackintosh</a> reports back a call with<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-mandiri-persero-tbk-pt" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Bank Mandiri Persero (BMRI IJ)</a> revealed a relatively positive message on a number of fronts, which came as a rare positive surprise. </p>
<p>In<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/bank-mandiri-persero-bmri-ij-the-unsung-hero-of-syariah" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Bank Mandiri Persero (BMRI IJ) - The Unsung Hero of Syariah?</a> , Cross-ASEAN Insight provider<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/angus-mackintosh" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Angus Mackintosh</a> sees potential positive catalysts in the merger of three State-owned Syariah banks. He believes that Mandiri Syariah,  given it has the largest Syariah business and generating an ROE in excess of 15%, will take the lead in the merged entity. </p>
<p>In<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/metrodata-electronic-mtdl-ij-a-rare-value-play-on-indonesia-s-digitalization" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Metrodata Electronic (MTDL IJ) - A Rare Value Play on Indonesia's Digitalization</a>,<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/angus-mackintosh" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Angus Mackintosh</a> highlights why<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/metrodata-electronic-pt" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Metrodata Electronic (MTDL IJ)</a> looks undervalued, as it benefits not only from offline companies continuing to digitalize processes and infrastructure but also from the rise in e-commerce, digital payments, fintech, and gaming. </p>
<p>In<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/xl-axiata-excl-ij-enabling-and-converging-in-indonesia" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> XL Axiata (EXCL IJ) - Enabling and Converging in Indonesia</a>,<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/angus-mackintosh" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Angus Mackintosh</a> revisits<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xl-axiata-tbk-pt" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> XL Axiata (EXCL IJ),</a> one of the key enablers of the Indonesian digital economy, with around 90% of revenues coming from data and 75% of its subscriber base on 4G. Smartkarma hosted a Webinar with <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/xl-axiata-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15028:1" rel="noopener">XL Axiata (EXCL IJ)</a> last week, which revealed a positive long-term picture, despite some near term competitive headwinds. </p>
<p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/sunpower-read-across-from-buyout-of-zheneng-jinjiang-fair-value-remains-at-1-sgd-63-upside" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:44133" rel="noopener">Sunpower: Read Across from Buyout of Zheneng JinJiang; Fair Value Remains at 1 SGD (63% Upside),</a> CrossASEAN Insight Provider provider <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/nicolas-van-broekhoven-24a66c2d-bca4-4f5b-adda-c4e2bcc509f4" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:1208" rel="noopener">Nicolas Van Broekhoven</a> revisits <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sunpower-group-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:18395:1" rel="noopener">Sunpower Group (SPWG SP)</a> post a Smartakarma webinar with the company. </p>
<p>In Thailand<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ipo-radar-nforce-secure-new-player-in-thai-cyber-security" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> IPO Radar: NForce Secure, New Player in Thai Cyber Security</a>, Thai Specialist<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/athaporn-arayasantiparb-cfa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Athaporn Arayasantiparb, CFA</a> takes a look at NForce Secure, New Player in Thai Cyber Security.  </p>
<p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/wilmar-is-a-buy-after-yka-s-listing" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:44228" rel="noopener">Wilmar Is A Buy After YKA’s Listing,</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/david-blennerhassett" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:840" rel="noopener">David Blennerhassett</a> revisits <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/wilmar-international-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:172:1" rel="noopener">Wilmar International (WIL SP)</a> following the successful listing of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/yihai-kerry-arawana-holdings-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29184:1" rel="noopener">Yihai Kerry Arawana Holdings Co Ltd (YKA CH).</a></p>
<p>In Singapore<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/sgx-sgx-sp-market-under-rates-its-growth-potential" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> SGX (SGX SP): Market Under-Rates Its Growth Potential</a>,<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/victor-galliano" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Victor Galliano</a> discusses why he feels<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/singapore-exchange-ltd" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> SGX (SGX SP)</a> is undervalued. </p>
<p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/business-dna-suksan-yasasin-of-chayo-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:44242" rel="noopener">Business DNA: Suksan Yasasin of Chayo Group,</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/dr-andrew-stotz-cfa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:756" rel="noopener">Dr. Andrew Stotz, CFA</a> conducts an interview with Suksan Yasasin, the CEO of Chayo Group. Business DNA is a chance to dig into the essential makeup of business leaders and their organizations. The focus is not on the short term but rather on understanding the driving forces of a business. </p>
<p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ori-expect-flat-3q20-earnings-but-strong-recovery-in-4q20" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:44163" rel="noopener">ORI: Expect Flat 3Q20 Earnings but Strong Recovery in 4Q20,</a> our friends at <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/companies/country-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="companies:965" rel="noopener">Country Group</a> revisit <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/origin-property-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26762:1" rel="noopener">Origin Property (ORI TB)</a> ahead of the company's earnings. </p>
<p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/com7-upgrade-super-cycle-for-iphone-users" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:44208" rel="noopener">COM7: Upgrade Super Cycle for iPhone Users,</a> <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/companies/country-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="companies:965" rel="noopener">Country Group</a> revisits this electronics distributor in light of the announcement of the launch of the new iPhone 12. </p>
<h3>Sector and Thematic Insights</h3>
<p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/snippets-45-lobster-alliance-cp-all-goes-to-laos" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:42866" rel="noopener">Snippets #45: Lobster Alliance, CP All Goes to Laos,</a> our Thai guru <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/athaporn-arayasantiparb-cfa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:766" rel="noopener">Athaporn Arayasantiparb, CFA</a> highlights five developments over the past week that may impact Thai equities.</p>
<p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/sti-index-rebalance-kdcreit-included-flt-misses-out" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:44178" rel="noopener">STI Index Rebalance: KDCREIT Included, FLT Misses Out,</a> <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/brian-freitas" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:4091" rel="noopener">Brian Freitas</a> comments on the recent FTSE STI Index rebalance.  </p>
<p>In<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/msci-nov20-index-rebalance-preview-asean-em-edition" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> MSCI Nov20 Index Rebalance Preview - ASEAN EM Edition</a>,<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/brian-freitas" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Brian Freitas</a> looks at the upcoming MSCI ASEAN EM scheduled rebalancing. </p>
<h3>Credit Insights</h3>
<p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/kasikornbank-s-inaugural-at1-underweight-on-franchise-challenges-and-valuation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:44176" rel="noopener">Kasikornbank’s Inaugural AT1 – Underweight on Franchise Challenges and Valuation,</a> credit specialist <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/hank-calenti-cfa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:5194" rel="noopener">Hank Calenti, CFA</a> comments on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kasikornbank-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:293:1" rel="noopener">Kasikornbank PCL (KBANK TB)</a>'s inaugural AT1 bond. He suggests to Underweight <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kasikornbank-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:293:1" rel="noopener">Kasikornbank's (KBANK)</a> inaugural Additional Tier 1 (AT1) bond on franchise challenges and valuation. </p>


The week that was in ASEAN@Smartkarma is filled with another eclectic mix of differentiated, substantive, and actionable insights from across South East Asia and includes macro, top-down and thematic pieces, as well as actionable equity bottom-up and credit insights over the past week.
We add below a NEW section, which includes emerging themes in ASEAN and selects important news flow or developments for commentary, which may impact SE Asian companies and markets.  

Equity Bottom-Up Insights
In Indonesia Bank Mandiri Persero (BMRI IJ) - A Plethora of Good News,  Cross-ASEAN insight provider Angus Mackintosh reports back a call with Bank Mandiri Persero (BMRI IJ) revealed a relatively positive message on a number of fronts, which came as a rare positive surprise. 
In Bank Mandiri Persero (BMRI IJ) - The Unsung Hero of Syariah? , Cross-ASEAN Insight provider Angus Mackintosh sees potential positive catalysts in the merger of three State-owned Syariah banks. He believes that Mandiri Syariah,  given it has the largest Syariah business and generating an ROE in excess of 15%, will take the lead in the merged entity. 
In Metrodata Electronic (MTDL IJ) - A Rare Value Play on Indonesia's Digitalization, Angus Mackintosh highlights why Metrodata Electronic (MTDL IJ) looks undervalued, as it benefits not only from offline companies continuing to digitalize processes and infrastructure but also from the rise in e-commerce, digital payments, fintech, and gaming. 
In XL Axiata (EXCL IJ) - Enabling and Converging in Indonesia, Angus Mackintosh revisits XL Axiata (EXCL IJ), one of the key enablers of the Indonesian digital economy, with around 90% of revenues coming from data and 75% of its subscriber base on 4G. Smartkarma hosted a Webinar with XL Axiata (EXCL IJ) last week, which revealed a positive long-term picture, despite some near term competitive headwinds. 
In Sunpower: Read Across from Buyout of Zheneng JinJiang; Fair Value Remains at 1 SGD (63% Upside), CrossASEAN Insight Provider provider Nicolas Van Broekhoven revisits Sunpower Group (SPWG SP) post a Smartakarma webinar with the company. 
In Thailand IPO Radar: NForce Secure, New Player in Thai Cyber Security, Thai Specialist Athaporn Arayasantiparb, CFA takes a look at NForce Secure, New Player in Thai Cyber Security.  
In Wilmar Is A Buy After YKA’s Listing,David Blennerhassett revisits Wilmar International (WIL SP) following the successful listing of Yihai Kerry Arawana Holdings Co Ltd (YKA CH).
In Singapore SGX (SGX SP): Market Under-Rates Its Growth Potential, Victor Galliano discusses why he feels SGX (SGX SP) is undervalued. 
In Business DNA: Suksan Yasasin of Chayo Group,Dr. Andrew Stotz, CFA conducts an interview with Suksan Yasasin, the CEO of Chayo Group. Business DNA is a chance to dig into the essential makeup of business leaders and their organizations. The focus is not on the short term but rather on understanding the driving forces of a business. 
In ORI: Expect Flat 3Q20 Earnings but Strong Recovery in 4Q20, our friends at Country Group revisit Origin Property (ORI TB) ahead of the company's earnings. 
In COM7: Upgrade Super Cycle for iPhone Users, Country Group revisits this electronics distributor in light of the announcement of the launch of the new iPhone 12. 
Sector and Thematic Insights
In Snippets #45: Lobster Alliance, CP All Goes to Laos, our Thai guru Athaporn Arayasantiparb, CFA highlights five developments over the past week that may impact Thai equities.
In STI Index Rebalance: KDCREIT Included, FLT Misses Out, Brian Freitas comments on the recent FTSE STI Index rebalance.  
In MSCI Nov20 Index Rebalance Preview - ASEAN EM Edition, Brian Freitas looks at the upcoming MSCI ASEAN EM scheduled rebalancing. 
Credit Insights
In Kasikornbank’s Inaugural AT1 – Underweight on Franchise Challenges and Valuation, credit specialist Hank Calenti, CFA comments on Kasikornbank PCL (KBANK TB)'s inaugural AT1 bond. He suggests to Underweight Kasikornbank's (KBANK) inaugural Additional Tier 1 (AT1) bond on franchise challenges and valuation. 

The NEW Week that Was in ASEAN@Smartkarma - Syariah Banking, XL Axiata, and Telkom's Tower Spinoff

<div class="content-highlight">
<p>The week that was in <a href="mailto:ASEAN@Smartkarma" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ASEAN@Smartkarma</a> is filled with another eclectic mix of differentiated, substantive, and actionable insights from across South East Asia and includes macro, top-down and thematic pieces, as well as actionable equity bottom-up and credit insights over the past week.</p>
<p>We add below a NEW section, which includes emerging themes in ASEAN and selects important news flow or developments for commentary, which may impact SE Asian companies and markets.  </p>
</div><h3>Macro Insights</h3><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/vietnam-in-robust-health-despite-transient-threat-of-us-s301-action" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:43795" rel="noopener">Vietnam in Robust Health Despite Transient Threat of US S301 Action,</a> CrossASEAN Chief Economist <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/prasenjit-k-basu" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:612" rel="noopener">Prasenjit K. Basu</a> zeros IN on the Vietnamese economy, which has been a key beneficiary of trade diversion from China. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/asian-exports-covid-best-is-behind" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:44020" rel="noopener">Asian Exports &amp; COVID - Best Is Behind,</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/sharmila-whelan" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:1728" rel="noopener">Sharmila Whelan</a> looks at the prospects for Asian Exports and sees a less attractive outlook ahead. </p><h3>Equity Bottom-Up Insights</h3><p>In Indonesia,<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/media-nusantara-citra-mncn-ij-no-credit-given-for-metamorphosis" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Media Nusantara Citra (MNCN IJ) - No Credit Given for Metamorphosis</a>, CrossASEAN insight provider<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/angus-mackintosh" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Angus Mackintosh</a> examines an aggressive sell-off in<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/media-nusantara-citra-tbk-pt" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Media Nusantara Citra (MNCN IJ)</a> share price, despite announcing a reasonable set of 2Q2020 results, with especially strong growth coming from its digital advertising through RCTI+ and its YouTube Multichannel Network (MCN), which now has a staggering 101m subscribers.  </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/indomobil-sukses-internasional-imas-ij-emerging-transport-monolith" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:43927" rel="noopener">Indomobil Sukses Internasional (IMAS IJ) Emerging Transport Monolith?,</a> CrossASEAN insight Provider <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/angus-mackintosh" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:937" rel="noopener">Angus Mackintosh</a> revisits <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/indomobil-sukses-internasional-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:11738:1" rel="noopener">Indomobil Sukses Internasional (IMAS IJ),</a> which is making meaningful progress towards being a leader in automotive and transport.</p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/bank-mestika-dharma-september-quarter-reversals-surge" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:44089" rel="noopener">Bank Mestika Dharma – September Quarter Reversals Surge,</a> banking specialist <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/daniel-tabbush" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:12" rel="noopener">Daniel Tabbush</a> zeros in on this small Indonesian lender, which is one of the first to report earnings and reported an improvement and reversal of credit costs. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ammb-top-decile-ph-score-and-vfm-asset" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:44065" rel="noopener">AMMB: Top Decile PH Score™ and VFM Asset,</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/paul-hollingworth" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:2554" rel="noopener">Paul Hollingworth</a> zeros in on this Malaysia lender were he find a promising outlook and attractive valuations under his model.</p><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ammb-holdings-bhd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:137:1" rel="noopener"></a>In Singapore,<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/trade-ideas-for-singapore-reits-implications-from-cct-cmt-merger" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Trade Ideas for Singapore REITs - Implications from CCT+CMT Merger</a>,<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/sumeet-singh" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Sumeet Singh</a> takes a look at the long drawn out merger of CCT+CMT finally approved with minimal resistance, with the little there was coming mostly from CCT holders, the combined entity will add to the bunch of listed REITs which offer a mix of office and retail exposure. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/mr-diy-ipo-store-expansion-still-going-strong-undemanding-valuation" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:43929" rel="noopener">MR DIY IPO - Store Expansion Still Going Strong, Undemanding Valuation,</a> IPO specialist <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/zhen-zhou-toh" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:673" rel="noopener">Zhen Zhou, Toh</a> revisits this IPO looking at its growth prospects and valuation. </p><p>In Malaysia,<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/mr-d-i-y-group-ipo-valuation-insights" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Mr. D.I.Y. Group IPO: Valuation Insights</a>,<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/arun-george" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Arun George</a> provides a view on why he believes that an attractive valuation and solid cornerstone support makes <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/mr-d-i-y-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:28430:1" rel="noopener">MR D.I.Y. Group (MRDIY MK)</a> IPO tempting at the proposed price. </p><p>In Malaysia,<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/mr-diy-ipo-quality-homes" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> MR DIY IPO: Quality Homes</a>,<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/shifara-samsudeen-acma-cgma" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Shifara Samsudeen</a> takes an initial look at Malaysia's home improvement retailer Mr. D.I.Y.  which has filed for an IPO which will raise approximately RM1.5bn (US$362m), the largest listing in three years in Malaysia. The company has set the price at RM1.60 per share and is expected to list the IPO on the 14th of October.</p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/mr-diy-ipo-inexpensive-valuation-compared-to-peers-despite-better-growth-profile" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:44019" rel="noopener">MR DIY IPO: Inexpensive Valuation Compared to Peers Despite Better Growth Profile,</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/shifara-samsudeen-acma-cgma" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:3297" rel="noopener">Shifara Samsudeen,</a> provides us with her views on this upcoming Malaysian IPO. </p><p>In Thailand,<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/kerry-express-best-inc-two-approaches-to-ecommerce-logistics-growth-in-se-asia" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Kerry Express &amp; Best Inc: Two Approaches to ECommerce Logistics Growth in SE Asia</a> examines the different approaches pursued in eCommerce fulfillment in SE Asia by the upcoming IPO<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kerry-express-thailand" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Kerry Express Thailand (KEX TB)</a> and by<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/best-inc" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> BEST Inc (BEST US). </a></p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/bgrim-positive-sentiments-from-joining-hands-with-pea-encom" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:43897" rel="noopener">BGRIM: Positive Sentiments from Joining Hands with PEA ENCOM,</a> our friends at <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/companies/country-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="companies:965" rel="noopener">Country Group</a> expect the cooperation with PEA ENCOM will help <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/b-grimm-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23996:1" rel="noopener">B Grimm Power (BGRIM TB)</a> to expand the SPP (Small Power Producer) client base and have synergy benefits of up to THB1.0bn from cost-saving and service efficiency. </p><h3>Sector and Thematic</h3><p>In<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/indonesia-banks-positives-clouded-but-persist" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Indonesia Banks – Positives Clouded, But Persist</a>, banking specialist<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/daniel-tabbush" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Daniel Tabbush</a> discusses why the country's credit penetration remains low and margins remain higher than almost any other country. Due to the ill-conceived interruption of economies and a more conservative bank system due to the financial crisis in 1997, credit growth is now lower in Indonesia than in most other Asian-Pacific countries. </p><p>In Thailand,<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/silicon-stories-m-if-you-can-t-beat-them-join-them" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Silicon Stories M: If You Can't Beat Them, Join Them</a>, Thai specialist<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/athaporn-arayasantiparb-cfa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Athaporn Arayasantiparb, CFA</a> takes a look at <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bank-of-ayudhya-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:136:1" rel="noopener">Bank Of Ayudhya (BAY TB)</a>,  which has realized that it is easier to partner with Internet startups than build businesses from scratch. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/sti-index-rebalance-in-the-race-to-replace-cct-finally-some-daylight-emerges" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:43862" rel="noopener">STI Index Rebalance: In the Race to Replace CCT, Finally Some Daylight Emerges,</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/brian-freitas" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:4091" rel="noopener">Brian Freitas</a> looks at the upcoming Singapore STI Index rebalancing. </p><h3>Credit Insights</h3><p>In<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/thai-bank-capital-constraints-debt-capital-issuance-needs-and-potential-impacts" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Thai Bank Capital Constraints, Debt Capital Issuance Needs, and Potential Impact,</a> Credit Specialist<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/hank-calenti-cfa" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Hank Calenti, CFA</a> discusses the potential for further capital issuance by Thai banks following<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bangkok-bank-public-co-ltd" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Bangkok Bank Public (BBL TB)</a>'s recent bond issue. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/thai-bank-capital-and-chronic-covid-19-sensitivity" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:44011" rel="noopener">Thai Bank Capital and Chronic COVID-19 Sensitivity,</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/hank-calenti-cfa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:5194" rel="noopener">Hank Calenti, CFA</a> dives into the potential scenarios for Thai Banks should COVID-19 loan relief decay become chronic. </p><p>In Indonesia,<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/the-plight-of-the-garuda" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> The Plight of the Garuda</a>, Credit Specialist<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/derek-silva" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> Derek Silva</a>,  examines Garuda's financial condition, which is now becoming critical. </p>


The week that was in ASEAN@Smartkarma is filled with another eclectic mix of differentiated, substantive, and actionable insights from across South East Asia and includes macro, top-down and thematic pieces, as well as actionable equity bottom-up and credit insights over the past week.
We add below a NEW section, which includes emerging themes in ASEAN and selects important news flow or developments for commentary, which may impact SE Asian companies and markets.  
Macro InsightsIn Vietnam in Robust Health Despite Transient Threat of US S301 Action, CrossASEAN Chief Economist Prasenjit K. Basu zeros IN on the Vietnamese economy, which has been a key beneficiary of trade diversion from China. In Asian Exports &amp; COVID - Best Is Behind,Sharmila Whelan looks at the prospects for Asian Exports and sees a less attractive outlook ahead. Equity Bottom-Up InsightsIn Indonesia, Media Nusantara Citra (MNCN IJ) - No Credit Given for Metamorphosis, CrossASEAN insight provider Angus Mackintosh examines an aggressive sell-off in Media Nusantara Citra (MNCN IJ) share price, despite announcing a reasonable set of 2Q2020 results, with especially strong growth coming from its digital advertising through RCTI+ and its YouTube Multichannel Network (MCN), which now has a staggering 101m subscribers.  In Indomobil Sukses Internasional (IMAS IJ) Emerging Transport Monolith?, CrossASEAN insight Provider Angus Mackintosh revisits Indomobil Sukses Internasional (IMAS IJ), which is making meaningful progress towards being a leader in automotive and transport.In Bank Mestika Dharma – September Quarter Reversals Surge, banking specialist Daniel Tabbush zeros in on this small Indonesian lender, which is one of the first to report earnings and reported an improvement and reversal of credit costs. In AMMB: Top Decile PH Score™ and VFM Asset,Paul Hollingworth zeros in on this Malaysia lender were he find a promising outlook and attractive valuations under his model.In Singapore, Trade Ideas for Singapore REITs - Implications from CCT+CMT Merger, Sumeet Singh takes a look at the long drawn out merger of CCT+CMT finally approved with minimal resistance, with the little there was coming mostly from CCT holders, the combined entity will add to the bunch of listed REITs which offer a mix of office and retail exposure. In MR DIY IPO - Store Expansion Still Going Strong, Undemanding Valuation, IPO specialist Zhen Zhou, Toh revisits this IPO looking at its growth prospects and valuation. In Malaysia, Mr. D.I.Y. Group IPO: Valuation Insights, Arun George provides a view on why he believes that an attractive valuation and solid cornerstone support makes MR D.I.Y. Group (MRDIY MK) IPO tempting at the proposed price. In Malaysia, MR DIY IPO: Quality Homes, Shifara Samsudeen takes an initial look at Malaysia's home improvement retailer Mr. D.I.Y.  which has filed for an IPO which will raise approximately RM1.5bn (US$362m), the largest listing in three years in Malaysia. The company has set the price at RM1.60 per share and is expected to list the IPO on the 14th of October.In MR DIY IPO: Inexpensive Valuation Compared to Peers Despite Better Growth Profile,Shifara Samsudeen, provides us with her views on this upcoming Malaysian IPO. In Thailand, Kerry Express &amp; Best Inc: Two Approaches to ECommerce Logistics Growth in SE Asia examines the different approaches pursued in eCommerce fulfillment in SE Asia by the upcoming IPO Kerry Express Thailand (KEX TB) and by BEST Inc (BEST US). In BGRIM: Positive Sentiments from Joining Hands with PEA ENCOM, our friends at Country Group expect the cooperation with PEA ENCOM will help B Grimm Power (BGRIM TB) to expand the SPP (Small Power Producer) client base and have synergy benefits of up to THB1.0bn from cost-saving and service efficiency. Sector and ThematicIn Indonesia Banks – Positives Clouded, But Persist, banking specialist Daniel Tabbush discusses why the country's credit penetration remains low and margins remain higher than almost any other country. Due to the ill-conceived interruption of economies and a more conservative bank system due to the financial crisis in 1997, credit growth is now lower in Indonesia than in most other Asian-Pacific countries. In Thailand, Silicon Stories M: If You Can't Beat Them, Join Them, Thai specialist Athaporn Arayasantiparb, CFA takes a look at Bank Of Ayudhya (BAY TB),  which has realized that it is easier to partner with Internet startups than build businesses from scratch. In STI Index Rebalance: In the Race to Replace CCT, Finally Some Daylight Emerges,Brian Freitas looks at the upcoming Singapore STI Index rebalancing. Credit InsightsIn Thai Bank Capital Constraints, Debt Capital Issuance Needs, and Potential Impact, Credit Specialist Hank Calenti, CFA discusses the potential for further capital issuance by Thai banks following Bangkok Bank Public (BBL TB)'s recent bond issue. In Thai Bank Capital and Chronic COVID-19 Sensitivity,Hank Calenti, CFA dives into the potential scenarios for Thai Banks should COVID-19 loan relief decay become chronic. In Indonesia, The Plight of the Garuda, Credit Specialist Derek Silva,  examines Garuda's financial condition, which is now becoming critical. 

The NEW Week that Was in ASEAN@Smartkarma - Omnibus Laws, Credit Costs, and Mr DIY

<div class="content-highlight">
<p>This past week's offering of Insights across ASEAN@Smartkarma is filled with another eclectic mix of differentiated, substantive and actionable insights from across South East Asia and includes macro, top-down and thematic pieces, as well as actionable equity bottom-up and credit insights.</p>
<p>Please find a brief summary below, with a fuller write up in the detailed section. We also include in the detailed section the past week's relevant discussions in <a href="mailto:ASEAN@Smartkarma" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ASEAN@Smartkarma</a></p>
</div><h3>Macro Insights</h3><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/what-drives-rising-gold-prices" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:42091" rel="noopener">What Drives Rising Gold Prices?,</a> Strategist <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/michael-j-howell" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:2312" rel="noopener">Michael J. Howell</a> analyses driver drivers behind the rising gold price. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/political-pit-stop-aug-20-regime-jitters" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:41483" rel="noopener">Political Pit Stop (Aug'20): Regime Jitters,</a> out Thai guru <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/athaporn-arayasantiparb-cfa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:766" rel="noopener">Athaporn Arayasantiparb, CFA</a> revisits the political situation in Thailand and identifies potential pitfalls ahead. </p><h3>Equity Bottom-Up Insights</h3><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/bank-central-asia-bbca-ij-liability-protection" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:41598" rel="noopener">Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ) - Liability Protection,</a> CrossASEAN Insight Provider <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/angus-mackintosh" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:937" rel="noopener">Angus Mackintosh</a> revisits Indonesia's biggest private bank following a conversation with management. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/kino-indonesia-kino-ij-sanitised-recovery" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:42045" rel="noopener">Kino Indonesia (KINO IJ) - Sanitised Recovery,</a> CrossASEAN Insight Provider <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/angus-mackintosh" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:937" rel="noopener">Angus Mackintosh</a> revisits one of Indonesia's less well-covered consumer players after a conversation with management and finds a promising outlook.</p><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kino-indonesia" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:1083:1" rel="noopener"></a>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/procurri-us-ppp-saves-1h20-remains-cheap-at-0-4x-ev-sales-but-no-catalyst" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:42110" rel="noopener">Procurri: US PPP Saves 1H20; Remains Cheap at 0.4x EV/Sales but No Catalyst,</a> CrossASEAN Insight Provider <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/nicolas-van-broekhoven-24a66c2d-bca4-4f5b-adda-c4e2bcc509f4" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:1208" rel="noopener">Nicolas Van Broekhoven</a> revisits this IT Hardware player and continues to see the value.</p><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/procurri-corporation-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24110:1" rel="noopener"></a>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/airport-of-thailand-aot-travel-bubble-mof-and-certify-hub" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:42048" rel="noopener">Airport of Thailand (AoT): Travel Bubble, MoF, and Certify Hub,</a> CrossASEAN Insight Provider <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/henry-soediarko" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:1006" rel="noopener">Henry Soediarko</a> revisits Thailand's airport operator in light of the country's ever-changing tourism strategy.</p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/bts-and-bangkok-airways-utapao-brother-in-arms" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:40027" rel="noopener">BTS and Bangkok Airways, UTaPao Brother-In-Arms,</a> our Thai guru <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/athaporn-arayasantiparb-cfa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:766" rel="noopener">Athaporn Arayasantiparb, CFA</a> comments on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bts-group-holdings-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:15943:1" rel="noopener">BTS Group Holdings (BTS TB)</a> and <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bangkok-airways-co-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:457:1" rel="noopener">Bangkok Airways (BA TB)</a> after meetings with management. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/siam-commercial-bank-surprising-on-the-upside" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:42161" rel="noopener">Siam Commercial Bank: Surprising on the Upside,</a> banking specialist <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/paul-hollingworth" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:2554" rel="noopener">Paul Hollingworth</a> zeros in on this leading Thai bank.</p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/temasek-walks-away-from-keppel-deal" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:42047" rel="noopener">Temasek Walks Away from Keppel Deal,</a> events specialist <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/travis-lundy" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:25" rel="noopener">Travis Lundy</a> comments on the untimely end to this takeover by Temasek. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/keppel-temasek-pulls-the-partial-offer" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:42059" rel="noopener">Keppel: Temasek Pulls the Partial Offer,</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/arun-george" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:1680" rel="noopener">Arun George</a> also comments on Temasek's decision to pull out of this long-standing deal. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/sembcorp-industries-a-simple-story-which-looks-complicated" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:42134" rel="noopener">Sembcorp Industries - A Simple Story Which Looks Complicated,</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/travis-lundy" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:25" rel="noopener">Travis Lundy</a> comments on this complicated capital raise. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/sembcorp-marine-rights-decided-and-virtual-ipo-set-still-avoid" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:42076" rel="noopener">Sembcorp Marine Rights Decided And "Virtual IPO" Set (Still Avoid),</a> events specialist attempts to decipher this extremely complicated restructuring. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/b-work-offers-price-upside-and-a-good-dividend-yield" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:42157" rel="noopener">B-WORK: Offers Price Upside and a Good Dividend Yield,</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/dr-andrew-stotz-cfa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:756" rel="noopener">Dr Andrew Stotz, CFA</a> initiates coverage on B-WORK with a BUY recommendation based on a target price of Bt12.80.</p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/advanc-2q20-performance-hindered-by-a-drop-in-arpu" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:42036" rel="noopener">ADVANC:  2Q20 Performance Hindered by a Drop in ARPU,</a> our friends at <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/companies/country-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="companies:965" rel="noopener">Country Group</a> report back on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/advanced-info-service-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:947:1" rel="noopener">Advanced Info Service (ADVANC TB)</a> after recent results. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/cbg-trading-on-high-valuation-zone" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:42040" rel="noopener">CBG: Trading on High Valuation Zone,</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/companies/country-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="companies:965" rel="noopener">Country Group</a> maintain their BUY rating and rollover their target price to THB141 based on 35x FY21E PER (Previous TP is THB110), the average of the Thailand energy drink group. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/asian-2q20-earnings-reached-its-peak" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:42086" rel="noopener">ASIAN: 2Q20 Earnings Reached Its Peak</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/companies/country-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="companies:965" rel="noopener">Country Group</a> revisit <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/asian-sea-corp-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19827:1" rel="noopener">Asian Seafoods Coldstorage (ASIAN TB)</a> and maintain their ‘SELL’ rating with a new target price at Bt10.3 (from Bt7.2).</p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/planb-expect-net-loss-in-2q20-to-be-bottom-of-this-year" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:42156" rel="noopener">PLANB: Expect Net Loss in 2Q20 to Be Bottom of This Year,</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/companies/country-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="companies:965" rel="noopener">Country Group</a> report back on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/plan-b-media-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:24702:1" rel="noopener">Plan B Media (PLANB TB)</a> after a telephone call with management. </p><h3>Credit Insights</h3><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/aa-reit-s-bond-first-reit-perpetual-in-the-new-normal" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:42049" rel="noopener">AA REIT S$ Bond - First REIT Perpetual in the New Normal</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/lakshmi-iyer-cfa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:9363" rel="noopener">Lakshmi Iyer, CFA</a> reports back after a new bond issue from <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aims-amp-capital-industrial" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:933:1" rel="noopener">AIMS APAC REIT (AAREIT SP).</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/aims-amp-capital-industrial" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:933:1" rel="noopener">AIMS APAC REIT (AAREIT SP)</a> issued a perpetual security on August 6th (5.65% SGD125mn deal).  She thinks the deal is interesting for several reasons (timing of the issue, spread on coupon reset, etc.). She does not expect the bond to tighten significantly as it is correctly priced with respect to the senior debt.</p>


This past week's offering of Insights across ASEAN@Smartkarma is filled with another eclectic mix of differentiated, substantive and actionable insights from across South East Asia and includes macro, top-down and thematic pieces, as well as actionable equity bottom-up and credit insights.
Please find a brief summary below, with a fuller write up in the detailed section. We also include in the detailed section the past week's relevant discussions in ASEAN@Smartkarma
Macro InsightsIn What Drives Rising Gold Prices?, Strategist Michael J. Howell analyses driver drivers behind the rising gold price. In Political Pit Stop (Aug'20): Regime Jitters, out Thai guru Athaporn Arayasantiparb, CFA revisits the political situation in Thailand and identifies potential pitfalls ahead. Equity Bottom-Up InsightsIn Bank Central Asia (BBCA IJ) - Liability Protection, CrossASEAN Insight Provider Angus Mackintosh revisits Indonesia's biggest private bank following a conversation with management. In Kino Indonesia (KINO IJ) - Sanitised Recovery, CrossASEAN Insight Provider Angus Mackintosh revisits one of Indonesia's less well-covered consumer players after a conversation with management and finds a promising outlook.In Procurri: US PPP Saves 1H20; Remains Cheap at 0.4x EV/Sales but No Catalyst, CrossASEAN Insight Provider Nicolas Van Broekhoven revisits this IT Hardware player and continues to see the value.In Airport of Thailand (AoT): Travel Bubble, MoF, and Certify Hub, CrossASEAN Insight Provider Henry Soediarko revisits Thailand's airport operator in light of the country's ever-changing tourism strategy.In BTS and Bangkok Airways, UTaPao Brother-In-Arms, our Thai guru Athaporn Arayasantiparb, CFA comments on BTS Group Holdings (BTS TB) and Bangkok Airways (BA TB) after meetings with management. In Siam Commercial Bank: Surprising on the Upside, banking specialist Paul Hollingworth zeros in on this leading Thai bank.In Temasek Walks Away from Keppel Deal, events specialist Travis Lundy comments on the untimely end to this takeover by Temasek. In Keppel: Temasek Pulls the Partial Offer,Arun George also comments on Temasek's decision to pull out of this long-standing deal. In Sembcorp Industries - A Simple Story Which Looks Complicated,Travis Lundy comments on this complicated capital raise. In Sembcorp Marine Rights Decided And "Virtual IPO" Set (Still Avoid), events specialist attempts to decipher this extremely complicated restructuring. In B-WORK: Offers Price Upside and a Good Dividend Yield,Dr Andrew Stotz, CFA initiates coverage on B-WORK with a BUY recommendation based on a target price of Bt12.80.In ADVANC:  2Q20 Performance Hindered by a Drop in ARPU, our friends at Country Group report back on Advanced Info Service (ADVANC TB) after recent results. In CBG: Trading on High Valuation Zone,Country Group maintain their BUY rating and rollover their target price to THB141 based on 35x FY21E PER (Previous TP is THB110), the average of the Thailand energy drink group. In ASIAN: 2Q20 Earnings Reached Its PeakCountry Group revisit Asian Seafoods Coldstorage (ASIAN TB) and maintain their ‘SELL’ rating with a new target price at Bt10.3 (from Bt7.2).In PLANB: Expect Net Loss in 2Q20 to Be Bottom of This Year,Country Group report back on Plan B Media (PLANB TB) after a telephone call with management. Credit InsightsIn AA REIT S$ Bond - First REIT Perpetual in the New Normal, Lakshmi Iyer, CFA reports back after a new bond issue from AIMS APAC REIT (AAREIT SP).AIMS APAC REIT (AAREIT SP) issued a perpetual security on August 6th (5.65% SGD125mn deal).  She thinks the deal is interesting for several reasons (timing of the issue, spread on coupon reset, etc.). She does not expect the bond to tighten significantly as it is correctly priced with respect to the senior debt.

The Week that Was in ASEAN@Smartkarma - Thai Politics, BCA's +ve Liabilities, and Singapore O&M

<div class="content-highlight">
<p>This past week's offering of Insights across ASEAN@Smartkarma is filled with another eclectic mix of differentiated, substantive and actionable insights from across South East Asia and includes macro, top-down and thematic pieces, as well as actionable equity bottom-up and credit insights.</p>
<p>Please find a brief summary below, with a fuller write up in the detailed section. We also include in the detailed section the past week's relevant discussions in <a href="mailto:ASEAN@Smartkarma" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ASEAN@Smartkarma</a></p>
</div><h3>Macro Insights</h3><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/malaysia-pm-muhyiddin-steadily-gains-a-reputation-for-quiet-competence" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:41634" rel="noopener">Malaysia: PM Muhyiddin Steadily Gains a Reputation for Quiet Competence,</a> CrossASEAN Cheif Economist <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/prasenjit-k-basu" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:612" rel="noopener">Prasenjit K. Basu</a> zeros in on Malaysian politics with PM scoring important wins.</p><h3>Equity Bottom-Up Insights</h3><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/central-retail-crc-tb-buy-for-looming-recovery" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:41669" rel="noopener">Central Retail (CRC TB) - Buy for Looming Recovery,</a> CrossASEAN Insight Provider <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/angus-mackintosh" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:937" rel="noopener">Angus Mackintosh</a> revisits one of Thailand's leading retailers and finds a brighter few months ahead. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/astra-international-asii-ij-simmering-recovery-afoot" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:41690" rel="noopener">Astra International (ASII IJ) - Simmering Recovery Afoot,</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/angus-mackintosh" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:937" rel="noopener">Angus Mackintosh</a> revisits Indonesia's largest car, motorcycle, and heavy equipment player and sees better days ahead. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/nippon-indosari-corpindo-roti-ij-the-breadmaker-cometh" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:40374" rel="noopener">Nippon Indosari Corpindo (ROTI IJ) - The Breadmaker Cometh </a>CrossASEAN Insight Provider <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/angus-mackintosh" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:937" rel="noopener">Angus Mackintosh</a> revisits Indonesia's largest mass-market bread producer. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/unilever-unvr-covid-19-beneficiary-and-discount-to-huvr" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:41525" rel="noopener">Unilever (UNVR): COVID-19 Beneficiary and Discount to HUVR,</a> CrossASEAN Insight Provider <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/henry-soediarko" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:1006" rel="noopener">Henry Soediarko</a> takes a look at one of Indonesia's largest consumer staples players. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/sampoerna-hmsp-losing-from-higher-excise-tax" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:41521" rel="noopener">Sampoerna (HMSP): Losing From Higher Excise Tax,</a> CrossASEAN Insight Provider <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/henry-soediarko" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:1006" rel="noopener">Henry Soediarko</a> zeros in one of Indonesia'slargest cigarette companies and sees some further risk to margins, favouring competitor <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/gudang-garam-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:722:1" rel="noopener">Gudang Garam (GGRM IJ).</a></p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/bank-central-asia-hunkering-down-is-not-helping" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:41611" rel="noopener">Bank Central Asia – Hunkering Down Is Not Helping,</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/thomas-j-monaco" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:1716" rel="noopener">Thomas J. Monaco</a> takes a look at Indonesia's best quality private bank and finds it having tough going. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/ipo-radar-rojukiss-a-korean-skincare-high-flyer-of-the-asean-region" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:41556" rel="noopener">IPO Radar: Rojukiss, a Korean Skincare High-Flyer of the ASEAN Region,</a> our Thai guru <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/athaporn-arayasantiparb-cfa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:766" rel="noopener">Athaporn Arayasantiparb, CFA</a> zeros in on the IPO of skincare player <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rojukiss" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29210:1" rel="noopener">Rojukiss (KISS TB).</a></p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/stubworld-would-jardines-move-back-to-hk" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:41692" rel="noopener">StubWorld: Would Jardines Move Back To HK?</a>, <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/david-blennerhassett" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:840" rel="noopener">David Blennerhassett</a> zeros in on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/jardine-matheson-holdings-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:19718:1" rel="noopener">Jardine Matheson Holdings (JM SP)</a> and asks whether it may consider moving its domicile back to Hong Kong. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/accordia-golf-trust-deal-gets-more-complicated" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:41628" rel="noopener">Accordia Golf Trust Deal Gets More Complicated,</a> events driven specialist <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/travis-lundy" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:25" rel="noopener">Travis Lundy</a> revisits this lingering privatisation situation.</p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/all-undemanding-valuation-and-good-growth-prospects-in-shunned-sector" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:41756" rel="noopener">ALL: Undemanding Valuation and Good Growth Prospects in Shunned Sector,</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/dr-andrew-stotz-cfa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:756" rel="noopener">Dr Andrew Stotz, CFA</a> initiates coverage on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/all-inspire-development-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:29177:1" rel="noopener">All Inspire Development PCL (ALL TB)</a> with a BUY recommendation based on a target price of Bt4.39, implying an upside of 25% from the current price. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/asian-good-performance-has-already-priced-in" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:41656" rel="noopener">ASIAN: Good Performance Has Already Priced In,</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/companies/country-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="companies:965" rel="noopener">Country Group</a> downgrade our recommendation to ‘SELL’ from ‘BUY’ with a new target price for 2021E at Bt7.20 (from Bt6.0).</p><div><div id="ember6523">
<div id="ember6524">
<span>In </span><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/delta-covid-19-impact-surprisingly-turned-positive" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:41672" rel="noopener">DELTA: Covid-19 Impact Surprisingly Turned Positive,</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/companies/country-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="companies:965" rel="noopener">Country Group</a><span> maintains a HOLD rating on </span><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/delta-electronics-thai-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20912:1" rel="noopener">Delta Electronics Thai (DELTA TB)</a><span> with a new 2021E target price of Bt84.00, up from Bt56.50.</span>
</div>
<div></div>
</div></div><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/synex-expect-earnings-to-grow-yoy-in-2020-but-has-mostly-priced-in" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:41698" rel="noopener">SYNEX: Expect Earnings to Grow YoY in 2020 but Has Mostly Priced In</a>, our friends at <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/companies/country-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="companies:965" rel="noopener">Country Group</a> revisit <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/synnex-thailand-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8077:1" rel="noopener">Synnex Thailand (SYNEX TB)</a> and expect earnings to grow 15%YoY in 2020E amid negative environment in overall spending induced by global widespread of coronavirus. </p><h3>Credit Insights</h3><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/philippine-bank-asset-quality-reported-versus-reality-and-relative-value" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:41710" rel="noopener">Philippine Bank Asset Quality: Reported Versus Reality and Relative Value,</a> Credit specialist <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/hank-calenti-cfa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:5194" rel="noopener">Hank Calenti, CFA</a> revisits the Philippine banks and sees some potentially heightened risks ahead.</p><p><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/rizal-commercial-banking-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:23143:1" rel="noopener"></a>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/sritex-earnings-flash-h1-fy-2020-results-lucror-analytics" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:41714" rel="noopener">Sritex - Earnings Flash - H1 FY 2020 Results,</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/companies/lucror-analytics" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="companies:1350" rel="noopener">Lucror Analytics</a> Credit Specialist <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/trung-nguyen" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:7108" rel="noopener">Trung Nguyen</a> reports back on results from Indonesia's leading textile player <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/sri-rejeki-isman-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:20178:1" rel="noopener">Sri Rejeki Isman (SRIL IJ).</a></p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/japfa-comfeed-earnings-flash-h1-fy-2020-results-lucror-analytics" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:41715" rel="noopener">Japfa Comfeed - Earnings Flash - H1 FY 2020 Results,</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/companies/lucror-analytics" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="companies:1350" rel="noopener">Lucror Analytics</a> Credit Specialist <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/trung-nguyen" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:7108" rel="noopener">Trung Nguyen</a> comments on results from chicken player <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/japfa-comfeed-indonesia-tbk-pt" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:8258:1" rel="noopener">Japfa Comfeed Indonesia (JPFA IJ).</a></p>


This past week's offering of Insights across ASEAN@Smartkarma is filled with another eclectic mix of differentiated, substantive and actionable insights from across South East Asia and includes macro, top-down and thematic pieces, as well as actionable equity bottom-up and credit insights.
Please find a brief summary below, with a fuller write up in the detailed section. We also include in the detailed section the past week's relevant discussions in ASEAN@Smartkarma
Macro InsightsIn Malaysia: PM Muhyiddin Steadily Gains a Reputation for Quiet Competence, CrossASEAN Cheif Economist Prasenjit K. Basu zeros in on Malaysian politics with PM scoring important wins.Equity Bottom-Up InsightsIn Central Retail (CRC TB) - Buy for Looming Recovery, CrossASEAN Insight Provider Angus Mackintosh revisits one of Thailand's leading retailers and finds a brighter few months ahead. In Astra International (ASII IJ) - Simmering Recovery Afoot,Angus Mackintosh revisits Indonesia's largest car, motorcycle, and heavy equipment player and sees better days ahead. In Nippon Indosari Corpindo (ROTI IJ) - The Breadmaker Cometh CrossASEAN Insight Provider Angus Mackintosh revisits Indonesia's largest mass-market bread producer. In Unilever (UNVR): COVID-19 Beneficiary and Discount to HUVR, CrossASEAN Insight Provider Henry Soediarko takes a look at one of Indonesia's largest consumer staples players. In Sampoerna (HMSP): Losing From Higher Excise Tax, CrossASEAN Insight Provider Henry Soediarko zeros in one of Indonesia'slargest cigarette companies and sees some further risk to margins, favouring competitor Gudang Garam (GGRM IJ).In Bank Central Asia – Hunkering Down Is Not Helping,Thomas J. Monaco takes a look at Indonesia's best quality private bank and finds it having tough going. In IPO Radar: Rojukiss, a Korean Skincare High-Flyer of the ASEAN Region, our Thai guru Athaporn Arayasantiparb, CFA zeros in on the IPO of skincare player Rojukiss (KISS TB).In StubWorld: Would Jardines Move Back To HK?, David Blennerhassett zeros in on Jardine Matheson Holdings (JM SP) and asks whether it may consider moving its domicile back to Hong Kong. In Accordia Golf Trust Deal Gets More Complicated, events driven specialist Travis Lundy revisits this lingering privatisation situation.In ALL: Undemanding Valuation and Good Growth Prospects in Shunned Sector,Dr Andrew Stotz, CFA initiates coverage on All Inspire Development PCL (ALL TB) with a BUY recommendation based on a target price of Bt4.39, implying an upside of 25% from the current price. In ASIAN: Good Performance Has Already Priced In,Country Group downgrade our recommendation to ‘SELL’ from ‘BUY’ with a new target price for 2021E at Bt7.20 (from Bt6.0).

In DELTA: Covid-19 Impact Surprisingly Turned Positive,Country Group maintains a HOLD rating on Delta Electronics Thai (DELTA TB) with a new 2021E target price of Bt84.00, up from Bt56.50.


In SYNEX: Expect Earnings to Grow YoY in 2020 but Has Mostly Priced In, our friends at Country Group revisit Synnex Thailand (SYNEX TB) and expect earnings to grow 15%YoY in 2020E amid negative environment in overall spending induced by global widespread of coronavirus. Credit InsightsIn Philippine Bank Asset Quality: Reported Versus Reality and Relative Value, Credit specialist Hank Calenti, CFA revisits the Philippine banks and sees some potentially heightened risks ahead.In Sritex - Earnings Flash - H1 FY 2020 Results,Lucror Analytics Credit Specialist Trung Nguyen reports back on results from Indonesia's leading textile player Sri Rejeki Isman (SRIL IJ).In Japfa Comfeed - Earnings Flash - H1 FY 2020 Results,Lucror Analytics Credit Specialist Trung Nguyen comments on results from chicken player Japfa Comfeed Indonesia (JPFA IJ).

The Week that Was in ASEAN@Smartkarma - Malaysian Politics, Thai Retail, and Indonesian Staples

<div class="content-highlight">
<p>This past week's offering of Insights across ASEAN@Smartkarma is filled with another eclectic mix of differentiated, substantive and actionable insights from across South East Asia and includes macro, top-down and thematic pieces, as well as actionable equity bottom-up and credit insights.</p>
<p>Please find a brief summary below, with a fuller write up in the detailed section. We also include in the detailed section the past week's relevant discussions in <a href="mailto:ASEAN@Smartkarma" target="_blank" rel="noopener">ASEAN@Smartkarma.</a></p>
</div><h2>Macro Insights</h2><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/mid-year-thai-strategy-review-2020-focus-on-recovery-plays" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:38781" rel="noopener">Mid-Year Thai Strategy Review 2020: Focus on Recovery Plays,</a> our Thai guru <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/athaporn-arayasantiparb-cfa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:766" rel="noopener">Athaporn Arayasantiparb, CFA</a> lays out his thoughts and recommendations for 2H2020 in Thailand. </p><h2>Equity Bottom-Up  Insights</h2><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/telekomunikasi-indonesia-tlkm-ij-nurturing-the-new-economy" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:40041" rel="noopener">Telekomunikasi Indonesia (TLKM IJ) - Nurturing the New Economy,</a> CrossASEAN Insight Provider <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/angus-mackintosh" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:937" rel="noopener">Angus Mackintosh</a> revisits Indonesia's largest telco and finds it making significant strides into the digital economy. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/valuetronics-value-sp-cash-is-an-important-asset-expansion-in-vietnam-continues" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:40015" rel="noopener">Valuetronics (VALUE SP): Cash Is an Important Asset + Expansion in Vietnam Continues,</a> CrossASEAN Insight Provider <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/nicolas-van-broekhoven-24a66c2d-bca4-4f5b-adda-c4e2bcc509f4" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:1208" rel="noopener">Nicolas Van Broekhoven</a> revisits this electronics player and although valuations look cheap, it faces headwinds from its predominantly Chinese production together with a large market focus on the USA. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/comfort-delgro-cd-back-to-office-bto" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:40020" rel="noopener">Comfort Delgro (CD): Back-To-Office (BTO),</a> CrossASEAN Insight Provider <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/henry-soediarko" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:1006" rel="noopener">Henry Soediarko</a> circles back to this Singapore taxi operator in light of a lifting of the circuit breaker in the near future.</p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/bdo-unibank-is-a-capital-raise-next" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:39969" rel="noopener">BDO Unibank – Is A Capital Raise Next?,</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/thomas-j-monaco" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:1716" rel="noopener">Thomas J. Monaco</a> zeros in on Philippine bank <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/bdo-unibank-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:329:1" rel="noopener">BDO Unibank Inc (BDO PM)</a> after the announcement of a special loan loss provision. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/singapore-air-the-rights-distribution-vol-is-your-friend" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:39991" rel="noopener">Singapore Air - The Rights Distribution - Vol Is Your Friend,</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/travis-lundy" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:25" rel="noopener">Travis Lundy</a> revisits <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/singapore-airlines-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:74:1" rel="noopener">Singapore Airlines (SIA SP)</a> post its rights issue. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/singapore-air-aftermath-of-the-rights" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:39837" rel="noopener">Singapore Air - Aftermath of the Rights,</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/travis-lundy" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:25" rel="noopener">Travis Lundy</a> takes a step back and reviews the potential post-rights positioning for <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/singapore-airlines-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:74:1" rel="noopener">Singapore Airlines (SIA SP).</a></p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/vgi-most-solid-player-in-media-sector" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:40073" rel="noopener">VGI: Most Solid Player in Media Sector,</a> our friends at <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/companies/country-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="companies:965" rel="noopener">Country Group</a> revisit <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/vgi-pcl" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:12409:1" rel="noopener">VGI PCL (VGI TB)</a> having attended the analyst meeting on 2nd June, where they came back with a neutral tone. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/gulf-fastest-growing-utility-player-in-thailand" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:40103" rel="noopener">GULF: Fastest Growing Utility Player in Thailand,</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/companies/country-group" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="companies:965" rel="noopener">Country Group</a> initiate coverage of <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/gulf-energy-development-public-company-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:26038:1" rel="noopener">Gulf Energy Development Public Company (GULF TB)</a> with a BUY rating, based on a 2021E target price of Bt44.6, derived from a sum-of-the-parts (SOTP) methodology.</p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/singapore-press-reach-for-1-18" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:39976" rel="noopener">Singapore Press Reach for SGD1.18,</a> technical analysis specialist <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/thomas-schroeder" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:381" rel="noopener">Thomas Schroeder</a> works his magic on <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/singapore-press-holdings-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9952:1" rel="noopener">Singapore Press Holdings (SPH SP)</a> and takes a bearish view on the removal from the Index the company created.</p><h2>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/singapore-press-holdings-limited" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:9952:1" rel="noopener"></a>Sector and Thematic Insights</h2><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/singapore-reits-new-rental-relief-framework-for-smes" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:40053" rel="noopener">Singapore REITs - New Rental Relief Framework for SMEs,</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/sumeet-singh" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:4" rel="noopener">Sumeet Singh</a> revisits the Singapore REITs sector post the announcement of rental relief for SMEs by the Government. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/sti-index-review-and-ironic-it-is" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:40037" rel="noopener">STI Index Review - And Ironic It Is!,</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/brian-freitas" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:4091" rel="noopener">Brian Freitas</a> comments the review of the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/ftse-straits-times-index-sti" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22902:1" rel="noopener">FTSE Straits Times Index (STI) (STI INDEX)</a> which took place last week. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/klci-index-review-liquidity-play" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:40040" rel="noopener">KLCI Index Review - Liquidity Play,</a><a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/brian-freitas" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:4091" rel="noopener">Brian Freitas</a> comments on the recent changes to the <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/kuala-lumpur-composite-index" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:22913:1" rel="noopener">Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (KLCI) (FBMKLCI INDEX). </a></p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/singapore-sti-laggard-play" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:39943" rel="noopener">Singapore STI Laggard Play,</a> technical analysis specialist <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/thomas-schroeder" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:381" rel="noopener">Thomas Schroeder</a> comments on Singapore's ST Index and sees it as an attractive laggard. </p><h2>Credit Insights</h2><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/olam-international-cocoa-against-covid" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:40059" rel="noopener">Olam International: Cocoa Against COVID,</a> Credit specialist <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/warut-promboon" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:1226" rel="noopener">Warut Promboon</a> initiates coverage on Singapore-based commodity player <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/olam-international-ltd" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:765:1" rel="noopener">Olam International (OLAM SP),</a> as management shifts to more value-added businesses and processes. </p><p>In <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/insights/oue-ltd-bonds-not-joining-the-party" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="insights:39999" rel="noopener">OUE Ltd. - Bonds Not Joining the Party,</a> Credit Specialist <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/profiles/lakshmi-iyer-cfa" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="accounts:9363" rel="noopener">Lakshmi Iyer, CFA</a> takes a look at this Singapore property company's 2023 bonds. </p><div><div id="ember56480"><section></section></div></div><div><div id="ember56622"><div id="ember56623"><div></div></div></div></div>


This past week's offering of Insights across ASEAN@Smartkarma is filled with another eclectic mix of differentiated, substantive and actionable insights from across South East Asia and includes macro, top-down and thematic pieces, as well as actionable equity bottom-up and credit insights.
Please find a brief summary below, with a fuller write up in the detailed section. We also include in the detailed section the past week's relevant discussions in ASEAN@Smartkarma.
Macro InsightsIn Mid-Year Thai Strategy Review 2020: Focus on Recovery Plays, our Thai guru Athaporn Arayasantiparb, CFA lays out his thoughts and recommendations for 2H2020 in Thailand. Equity Bottom-Up  InsightsIn Telekomunikasi Indonesia (TLKM IJ) - Nurturing the New Economy, CrossASEAN Insight Provider Angus Mackintosh revisits Indonesia's largest telco and finds it making significant strides into the digital economy. In Valuetronics (VALUE SP): Cash Is an Important Asset + Expansion in Vietnam Continues, CrossASEAN Insight Provider Nicolas Van Broekhoven revisits this electronics player and although valuations look cheap, it faces headwinds from its predominantly Chinese production together with a large market focus on the USA. In Comfort Delgro (CD): Back-To-Office (BTO), CrossASEAN Insight Provider Henry Soediarko circles back to this Singapore taxi operator in light of a lifting of the circuit breaker in the near future.In BDO Unibank – Is A Capital Raise Next?,Thomas J. Monaco zeros in on Philippine bank BDO Unibank Inc (BDO PM) after the announcement of a special loan loss provision. In Singapore Air - The Rights Distribution - Vol Is Your Friend,Travis Lundy revisits Singapore Airlines (SIA SP) post its rights issue. In Singapore Air - Aftermath of the Rights,Travis Lundy takes a step back and reviews the potential post-rights positioning for Singapore Airlines (SIA SP).In VGI: Most Solid Player in Media Sector, our friends at Country Group revisit VGI PCL (VGI TB) having attended the analyst meeting on 2nd June, where they came back with a neutral tone. In GULF: Fastest Growing Utility Player in Thailand,Country Group initiate coverage of Gulf Energy Development Public Company (GULF TB) with a BUY rating, based on a 2021E target price of Bt44.6, derived from a sum-of-the-parts (SOTP) methodology.In Singapore Press Reach for SGD1.18, technical analysis specialist Thomas Schroeder works his magic on Singapore Press Holdings (SPH SP) and takes a bearish view on the removal from the Index the company created.
Sector and Thematic InsightsIn Singapore REITs - New Rental Relief Framework for SMEs,Sumeet Singh revisits the Singapore REITs sector post the announcement of rental relief for SMEs by the Government. In STI Index Review - And Ironic It Is!,Brian Freitas comments the review of the FTSE Straits Times Index (STI) (STI INDEX) which took place last week. In KLCI Index Review - Liquidity Play,Brian Freitas comments on the recent changes to the Kuala Lumpur Composite Index (KLCI) (FBMKLCI INDEX). In Singapore STI Laggard Play, technical analysis specialist Thomas Schroeder comments on Singapore's ST Index and sees it as an attractive laggard. Credit InsightsIn Olam International: Cocoa Against COVID, Credit specialist Warut Promboon initiates coverage on Singapore-based commodity player Olam International (OLAM SP), as management shifts to more value-added businesses and processes. In OUE Ltd. - Bonds Not Joining the Party, Credit Specialist Lakshmi Iyer, CFA takes a look at this Singapore property company's 2023 bonds. 

The Week that Was in ASEAN@Smartkarma - Thai Strategy, New Economy Telco, and Olam

Indonesia

XLSMART Telecom Sejahtera Tbk is an Indonesian mobile telecommunications services operator. The company provides a comprehensive suite of telecommunications services, including mobile communication, 4G LTE and 5G connectivity, fixed broadband via fiber optic, internet telephony, cloud and data center solutions, and Internet of Things (IoT) services. It operates under the core consumer brands XL, Axis, and Smartfren. Headquartered in Jakarta, Indonesia, the company was founded in 1989 and officially established as XLSMART in April 2025 following a merger.

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XLSMART Telecom Sejahtera (EXCL IJ)

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